It sounds like actor Bill Nighy has quite a crush on Young Victoria star Emily Blunt. Bill, who will soon appear in Richard Curtis’s new flick The Boat That Rocked, told me: “I’m currently filming my next film with Emily Blunt, called Wild Target. I play a sad, old assassin who’s hired to kill Emily’s character. But instead, he falls in love with her because she’s so wonderful. And in real life, she’s just as delicious. I adore her.” Me too, Bill!
I popped along to the Trafalgar Studios to see Sadie Frost perform in the brilliant new one woman comedy play Touched For The Very First Time last night. Tickets for the show are selling like hot cakes and the venue was packed.
Sadie’s ex-hubby Jude Law was there to watch Sadie for the first time too. He’s been wrapping up his work on Guy Ritchie’s new Sherlock Holmes movie and had only just found time to get down to see the show. He was mesmerised by Sadie throughout her performance. He laughed at the jokes (especially the one when Sadie’s character says she’s got a face like she’s been on a night out with Kate Moss!) and he looked adoringly at her all the time. And he went back to congratulate her afterwards – as did I. She puffed on a fag with a can of Coke and told me: “I’ve had the busiest day today and I do a matinee performance every Thursday too so I’m slightly flustered. I’ve absolutely loved every minute of being back on the stage and this project was definitely the one I was waiting for to get back on the stage again. I’ve got lots of work coming up too so life is good.
I also caught up with Touched producer Imogen Lloyd Webber who admitted her father Sir Andrew loved every second of the show. She said: “Thankfully Dad loved it. Of course I was nervous about him coming along but he really enjoyed it. The trouble with Dad is that he can’t lie – he’s so honest so I would have been able to tell if he didn’t enjoy it!”
Anyway, now to the review of the show. I’ll keep it short. The play, written by the talented Zoe Lewis, is a great night out. It’s funny, fast-paced, energetic and touching. And despite whatever you’ve read, it’s more than just a play with a few Madge tunes thrown into the mix. It’s a charming story of a girl from Manchester growing up with her Idol. Aside from the great material Sadie had to work with, it’s brilliant to see the star back working and doing what she does best. I can’t help but think Sadie’s slipped into the mix of being a ‘celebrity’ and lef her ‘actress’ status out of the mix. And this show proves she is a talent. We need to see more of her. She’s compelling to watch – and Touched shows off her skills just perfectly.
I’m totally captivated by the new Visa Flow advert! Have you seen it yet?
If not then check out the link above. The ad stars the amazing Bill Shannon – a dance and media artist who has a bilateral hip deformity. Amazingly he has developed his own unique way to express himself through movement on modified crutches. Hell, he’s even named his moves ‘The Shannon Technique’. It’s definitely worth a peak, people!
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That Jamelia’s a good egg. As well as being a great role model for young people across the UK – she’s doing her bit for charity too nowadays.
The star, who’s apparently busy beavering away on her new album, has leant her support to Tommy’s Baby Charity to raise money for deprived communities across Africa. Tommy’s has got together with Brantano shoe shops to launch a campaign – that takes place throughout March – and is asking for us all to take old footwear including old shoes, slippers, wellies or even flip flops to any Brantano store and they will donate 10p for each pair to Tommy’s Baby Charity. Oh, and on top of this the shoe shop will give you a £10.00 money off voucher when you spend £40.00 in a single transaction.
With the support of her daughters Teja, eight, and Tiani, three, the star posed up in a new campaign for the charity last week. And how fun are the shots? She looks so cute! And look how grown up her kiddies have got! Bless! Jamelia said: “I am lucky enough to have two beautiful children, and I cannot begin to imagine what life would be like without them. I was utterly shocked to learn 1 in 4 women will lose a baby during pregnancy or birth, which is why I am committed to helping Tommy’s do all they can to prevent this from happening to other families.”
The singer added: “The work Tommy’s is doing with Brantano is absolutely fantastic. The idea of being able to give to charity simply by getting rid of an old pair of shoes is terrific. For only £1 you can also show your support by wearing one of the cute Tommy’s pin badges or phone charms, I know I’ll be wearing mine.”
I had an absolute blast checking out Aussie singer Shannon Noll at the Borderline earlier this week. Shannon’s story is an interesting one! He was the runner-up on Australian Idol in 2003 and has since sold a few million copies of his debut album out there. And now he’s launching his UK assault on the charts!
Shannon’s debut album, What Matters The Most, over here in the UK is being released on May 4 – with the lead single, Shine, out on April 27. And if his track record in Australia is anything to go by then he’s going to be big news! In the five years since Idol he’s notched up 10 consecutive top 10 singles (including 5 Number One’s), Not bad for a farmer’s son from Condobolin, Australia!
His voice, in my opinion, is a mixture of Bryan Adams and Michael Bolton (but way younger and cooler). And he’s pretty hot too. Oh, and the album features lyrics co-written with Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora and Bryan Adams himself.
Shannon will be playing a one-off show at the 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on May 8, and will be hitting the stage in June with a role in the UK arena tour of Jeff Wayne’s The Musical Version of The War Of The Worlds, opposite Jennifer Ellison. He’s definitely one to watch!
Oh, and it wasn’t just me checking out Shannon – actor Will Mellor and Status Quo offspring Rick Parfitt Jnr were there too…..
Emily Blunt stepped out in a gorgeous Vivienne Westwood gown at the premiere of The Young Victoria. But the rain almost ruined her big entrance when her dress got soaked from the rain. Damn British weather! Emily told me she loved the costumes for the film – but she wasn’t a fan of the tight corsets she was forced to wear! She said: “Corsets may look beautiful but believe me, they kill. I couldn’t wait until they un-strapped me at the end of a day’s filming. And the crown I wore was so heavy, I could only wear it for a couple of minutes at a time.” I have a newfound respect for our current Queen Elizabeth II. She’s still wearing her crown jewels and she’s 82!
It’s not often I get blown away by a gig – but last night I went down to the O2 Arena to watch Tina Turner. The star came out of retirement from concerts after her actress pal Sophie Loren told her she should get back to work! And thank God Sophie gave her a push.
I had shivers running up and down my spine throughout. Not only did she sing every single song 100 per cent live (er, take note Britney), she also managed to captivate each and every single person in the sell out crowd.
All the hits were there including Steamy Windows, The Best, Better Be Good to Me and she even threw in a Rolling Stones medley. But my favourite moment was by far Proud Mary – just as good as when she performed the hit single with former hubby Ike all them years ago. The Nutbush City Limits finale was also magnificent with the singer flying across the crowd on a crane!
It’s one of the gigs that I will remember for many years – and I know it meant something because I was compelled into buying a programme on my way out! I haven’t done that in 10 years!
And also…..she’s 69-years-old now. And she performed like a 40 year old! Her legs even look better than her backing dancers! She needs to reveal that secret, quick smart.
It’s amazing to have you back Tina! And don’t leave it so long next time!
Britney Spears is back Bitches! And from the looks of things Britney is back in her full capacity! The star released a special 2-minute behind the scenes look of what the Circus tour is going to look like! I can’t wait for it to swing into London!
This time tomorrow we’ll know whether the show cuts the mustard – it opens in New Orleans tonight! Good luck Britters!
It sounds like actor Bill Nighy has quite a crush on Young Victoria star Emily Blunt. Bill, who will soon appear in Richard Curtis’s new flick The Boat That Rocked, told me: “I’m currently filming my next film with Emily Blunt, called Wild Target. I play a sad, old assassin who’s hired to kill Emily’s character. But instead, he falls in love with her because she’s so wonderful. And in real life, she’s just as delicious. I adore her.” Me too, Bill!
I popped along to the Trafalgar Studios to see Sadie Frost perform in the brilliant new one woman comedy play Touched For The Very First Time last night. Tickets for the show are selling like hot cakes and the venue was packed.
Emily Blunt stepped out in a gorgeous Vivienne Westwood gown at the premiere of The Young Victoria. But the rain almost ruined her big entrance when her dress got soaked from the rain. Damn British weather! Emily told me she loved the costumes for the film – but she wasn’t a fan of the tight corsets she was forced to wear! She said: “Corsets may look beautiful but believe me, they kill. I couldn’t wait until they un-strapped me at the end of a day’s filming. And the crown I wore was so heavy, I could only wear it for a couple of minutes at a time.” I have a newfound respect for our current Queen Elizabeth II. She’s still wearing her crown jewels and she’s 82!
It’s not often I get blown away by a gig – but last night I went down to the O2 Arena to watch Tina Turner. The star came out of retirement from concerts after her actress pal Sophie Loren told her she should get back to work! And thank God Sophie gave her a push.
